WEST BROM have completed a deal for top earner Ahmed Hegazi to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad.
With the Saudi transfer window closing this week, the Baggies accepted a quickfire deal thought to be worth £4million.
Ahmed Hegazi featured in West Brom’s draw with Burnley last week before sealing the switchCredit: AP:Associated Press
Al-Ittihad confirmed the transfer that rids West Brom of their highest earner, with Hegazi’s contract agreed during their previous Premier League stint.
Signed in December 2017 after an initial loan spell at the Hawthorns, the centre-back was reportedly earning £70,000-a-week.
Towering defender Hegazi made a big impression on the club when first arriving from Al-Ahly.
Bagging the winning goal on his debut against Bournemouth, he quickly established himself in an otherwise disappointing relegation season.
The last of Hegazi’s 104 appearances for the club came in the recent 0-0 draw with Burnley, his only outing of the season and West Brom’s only clean sheet thus far.
Only last week, Baggies boss Slaven Bilic had dismissed talk of the Egyptian’s exit.
He told reporters: “There has been an interest in Ahmed from Saudi since I came to the club last season.
“He’s a good player, and he’s from Egypt which makes him a bit more interesting for the clubs from Saudi.
“But like last year, he wants to stay here. He’s a good player, he’s playing and I’m glad he’s staying.
“I didn’t want him to go last year. This season I like him, he’s a top professional. He’s one of the few lads in our team who has Premier League experience. That’s important.”
Hegazi, 29, can expect a vociferous reception when he first turns out for Jeddah club Al-Ittihad, the club setting off a fever pitch among their fans with over 38,000 retweets on their announcement.
Having signed Branislav Ivanovic before the English deadline, West Brom have the Serb, Dara O’Shea, Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi as their remaining centre-backs.
West Brom manager Slaven Bilic gets drenched in champagne after clinching promotion into the Premier League
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
